Connecticut Business Name Search
- Prepare for the Connecticut Business Name Search
- How to Check Business Name Availability
- How To Register A Connecticut Business Name
- Policies and Procedures for Registering a Connecticut Business Name
- Contact the Connecticut Business Registration Office
- How Much Does It Cost To Register A Connecticut Business Name?
- Why Register an LLC in Connecticut?
- Final Word: Connecticut Business Name Search
If you want to start a business in Connecticut, then you want to start on the right path. The name is one of the most vital aspects of any business. A professional name will encourage patrons to spend money with you, with some consumers saying they will choose whether to make a purchase based on the name of the brand. However, finding the right name that is available can be difficult. This article will help you with Connecticut business name search processes and checking business name availability.
Included in this article are the details of the registration office policies, the price, and more.
Prepare for the Connecticut Business Name Search
The first thing that you need to do before you even think about searching for a name and going to register a Connecticut business name is to come up with a good name for your business. Several key points make up a great name for your business, these include the following:
- Be short enough that the name can be remembered in a hurry. Long names are harder to remember.
- Be catchy so that people remember them over those of your competitors.
- Detail what your business sells/produces or does.
- Indicate the ethics of your business.
- The name should be unique with no other business using the same or similar name.
- Follows local regulations on naming a business.
How to Check Business Name Availability
Before you can register a Connecticut business name, you will need to check business name availability in the state. If you come from another state and want to start doing business in the state under the same name, you might still need to complete the check, the name might not be used in your state, but someone might have registered it in Connecticut. So never assume you have complete control.
On the Connecticut Secretary of State website, you can use a search bar, where you can enter your preferred business name and then click on the search icon to check whether it is available. If the business name isn’t unique, i.e. another brand is using it, then the search results will show the organizations that share the business name.
The search results will also show whether the businesses are active or inactive.
You might want to check for domain name availability and whether other brands are using the names on social media. Sometimes brands might not have the same name as the domain or the social media handles that they’re using. One classic example of this is CEX, which uses the domain name webuy.com.
How To Register A Connecticut Business Name
Once you’ve checked that a business name is available, you can then register a Connecticut business name that will protect the name of your business from being used by another entity. To complete this process you can fill out a form to register the name and reserve it while you complete the documents required to register your business as an LLC.
The process to register the name for your business can take a few weeks. The process can be completed online or you can download the document, complete it on paper, and mail it to the right office.
Policies and Procedures for Registering a Connecticut Business Name
The state of Connecticut has several applicable business structures that you can use to create your business. You can register your business as a corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, general partnership, or something. Each of these structures has a unique registration process that will need to be followed carefully. If you’re not sure what is the best one for you, speak to your accountant or another business advisor.
For numerous business models, you might need to complete a DBA form. This is a form that says the name of the business you are trading under. If you’re an LLC you can have a different DBA than an LLC name. To complete the DBA, you need to provide the following information:
- Business structure type.
- Details of business operations
- Business name
- Business address
- Details of the business owner.
Contact the Connecticut Business Registration Office
When you register a business, regardless of the business structure, you are going to have to speak to the Connecticut Secretary of State’s office at some point. So here are the details that you would need.
Connecticut Secretary of State Website | https://portal.ct.gov/SOTS/Business-Services/BSD |
Connecticut Secretary of State Phone Number | 860 5096200 |
Connecticut Secretary of State Email Address | [email protected] |
Connecticut Secretary of State Business Hours | 8:30 am to 4:30 pm from Monday to Friday |
You don’t need to complete any physical paperwork. You can complete the process online. However, you need to make sure that when you start the process, you have all the information and details of the business done first. It is also vital that you complete a business name search, if you don’t and there is a business that has registered the same name, your application will be rejected. To complete the process, you will need to pay the fee again.
How Much Does It Cost To Register A Connecticut Business Name?
The costs can vary depending on what you want to do with your business. To reserve a business name in the state, you need to pay a $60 filing fee. A DBA can cost between $5 and $10. In addition, to get your LLC set up, you will need to pay up to $250.
However, these costs are relatively smaller than they are in other states.
Why Register an LLC in Connecticut?
There are numerous reasons why you might want to register an LLC in Connecticut. One, personal assets and the business name are protected by law. Therefore, if the business gets into debt, your house and other property cannot be seized to pay them off. In addition, no one else can use the same business name.
In addition, you don’t pay federal taxes as an LLC. Therefore, you can save money on your taxes.
Another benefit is that you can enjoy more opportunities. LLCs tend to have an easier time getting funding from banks and investors. They can also open business bank accounts and get better credit terms with suppliers.
Final Word: Connecticut Business Name Search
Above are the instructions and information you need for a Connecticut business name search. The process is so simple, it is a process that will take ten seconds, but the search can help you save lots of time and money from trying to register a name that is already taken. If you need help with your LLC application, you can always speak to ZenBusiness or Bizee.